Congressional Republicans put money behind Taff

"We expect to put about $700,000 into this race," said U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., who heads the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Davis announced the committee's support of Taff at a news conference Friday at the Lawrence Holidome.

"This race is one of our top priorities in the House," Davis said, noting that a recent poll showed Taff within 3 points of his Democratic opponent, incumbent 3rd District Congressman Dennis Moore.

"We think it's closer than that," Davis said.

Davis said he and others initially had been skeptical of Taff's chances of defeating Moore but now thought differently.

The committee backed Taff's opponent, Jeff Colyer, in the GOP primary. During the primary campaign, Davis, in an interview with The New York Times, called Taff "an airline pilot who's a nice kid, but he's got no clue."

On Friday, Davis said Taff's success changed his mind.

Moore's camp was not impressed.

"We're confident that Dennis Moore's record and what he's done for the 3rd District will win out over whatever leaders the Republican Party brings in to endorse our opponent," said Moore spokesman Jack Martin.